Early identification of people that have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) would help to shorten the chain of transmission and prevent STIs from spreading. However, if the infected individual were to inform health professionals of the identity of their sexual partners, or reveals any other information about them, it could be seen as infringing the latter’s data protection rights, which would therefore have legal implications. 

 

Dr Antoni Macaya, lecturer in Dermatology and Venereology on the Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine at UIC Barcelona , has led a study titled “Confidencialidad de datos, secreto profesional y búsqueda de contactos en infecciones de transmisión sexual” (Data confidentiality, professional secrecy and contact tracing in sexually transmitted infections), in which he explores the legalities and problems that could arise when tracing sexually transmitted infection cases. 

 

Recently published in the journal Medicina Clínica, the article explores these problems by reviewing current legislation and emphasises how important it is that patients diagnosed with an STI inform their partner and anyone they’ve had previous contact with. “This would help us to synchronise legislation and protocols that are already being implemented in other countries, with a view to improving strategies for tracing people with STIs”, explains Dr Macaya.